Warsaw Uprising - 70th anniversary

Staff: Mentor

In short: underground Polish Home Army attacked Germans to liberate Warsaw in anticipation of incoming Soviet front. Despite being outnumbered and having only limited supplies they managed to fight for 63 days. Up to 200,000 people died (mostly civilians, many in mass executions), almost entire city was wiped out (partly during uprising, partly afterwards, as a German revenge). Soviet army stopped on the eastern bank of Vistula river and watched.

Staff: Mentor

Reading Poland's history often makes me think of this video article from The Economist:

(snip)

In Britain's place should come Poland, which has suffered quite enough in its location between Russia and Germany, and deserves a chance to enjoy the bracing winds of the North Atlantic and the security of sea water between it an any potential invaders.

A lot of fine print here, but let's take the situation at face value - this is a tribute given today to insurgents and the city. Sirens are run by the city and they are part of the official celebrations, fireworks were started by fans of Warsaw football clubs.